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When skills deteriorate
I didn’t know how else to title this.
I have been sticking with this program almost religiously for over a year, though I have less enthusiasm for some weeks that are hard for my small hands, or that don’t sound musical to me (percussion comes to mind). What I’m experiencing though, is when I go back to something we’ve done before, and it’s worse; or when a song I have been learning and like, just starts to fall apart. I think I have ruled out any physical issues I’m already aware of; if I could do something reasonably well previously, now perhaps it’s psychological? Some things are fine, such as knowing what the next note/chord is from repetition and memory. But I find myself playing a song I know well and have practiced daily for weeks, just stumbling over the strings. I know I will never be able to play fast; my fingers just don’t move quickly. So things like triplets just aren’t going to sound all that well even if I can keep them in (slow) time.
I’m only 73, and I know it’s not mental deterioration. But this has been puzzling me lately. Boredom? Too much repetition? Any thoughts?
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5 Replies
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Hi @BarbaraM , I have been at the place you are describing. The honest, quick answer: keep going. I found later the thing that moves me out of that phase. Had to go through it a few times to figure it out. What is your most favorite thing you play on your guitar…right now…today? When it all turns gray, go back to that to reinvigorate with saturated color. For me early on it was the finger picking waterfall exercise in G (and I am a flatpicker). I loved the sound but more importantly for me…I loved the tactile experience. So what is it..,your favorite thing? Dig in a little and find out why…then follow that rabbit hole in the context of the daily challenges and see where it overlaps. I hope that makes sense. Additionally, there is a whole underlying question here but it goes pretty deep. I remember when Tony asked me Why I wanted to play guitar. I would answer and there was always a follow up why. It took me a good while to figure out what was the power source driving my desire to learn. Getting in touch with that ended my slow descents into gray. This was kinda difficult. The results worth every bead of worry I sweated out! : )
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Thank you, @jumpinjeff for that. I know when I get in a slump it’s just that, and maybe this is one. The thing is, what I most like to play is what I’m stumbling over now. Go figure.
Maybe it’s the long cold winter. Need some IcyHot for my fingers!
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Hey Barbara, I think many of us have experienced that. Maybe you need a break. Often times taking a sabbatical is just what is needed. We all hit plateaus, go through periods we do feel we’re going the wrong direction. You sound bored and need something to revive itself. I say take a week or two off and see if that helps. You could try a new song, practice ear training, pick up another instrument to try.
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@BarbaraM, I know you can play and have heard you. I think Jumpinjeff and Loraine have both offered great advice. I think many of us go through these phases. I know sometimes for me, I’ll grab my guitar, and then just really don’t know what to play. I end up just doing some familiar fingerpicking and maybe strum a few chords. If I’m just not into it, I’ll put the guitar down and walk away. Taking a little break isn’t bad in my opinion. I know I get into some mental funks that don’t align with playing. I’ve tried to let go of the guilt of not playing when I get into these funks.
I know you can do this. Please don’t give up.
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Thank you Loraine and Kyle, good to know I’m not alone! Yeah I think boredom with the same material was getting to me, made me sloppy even on the song I really like to play. I have a pennywhistle, could mess around with that for a bit, or try some fingerpicking on some songs I know only as chords, work on my “difficult” chords (not just barres!), just to break things up.
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